Sheila Hrasky – Artist Interview

Sheila K. Hrasky is a fine art artist of the West who works ceramics, oils, acrylics, and watercolors. Sheila is known for her nesting ceramic flower bowls and on location paintings. She remains true to the process and produces original art daily.

Tell us a little about yourself!

I grew up in the mid- west, Illinois. My love of Art was known at an early age. With support from my family and a lot of trips to the Museum at The Art Institute of Chicago, my passion for Art became very clear. Art was more than something to just pass the time, it lead my studies all the way through college achieving a degree in Art Studio. I was educated at The Rhode Island School of Design and the University of New Mexico. After graduation I spent the next ten years working as an artist, living in New Mexico. In 2004 I trailed north to Livingston, Montana where I continue to follow my dreams and make Art daily.

How did you become an artist?

I knew from a very early age that I was an Artist. I was always creating something; I have a piece of ceramic art from almost every year of my life. So it was the logical choice to follow my instincts and become an Artist.

How would you describe your style?

One of the hardest things for artists to do is to stand apart from everyone else. How long did it take you to come up with your own style and signature look? After I graduated from College, in Art Studio in New Mexico I started going to the Flea Market in Santa Fe with some of my artwork to sell. By the end of the first month of selling my art I had a fairly good idea of what I wanted to make to sell in Galleries. So over a period of 4 days I came up with my Idea of the Flower Bowls. Form fitting function was one of my biggest concerns, so I decided to hand cut the edges like flowers and then paint the bowls in a timeless floral pattern I focused on my strengths and gave myself the time and discipline of throwing pots daily to get more efficient at the process.

What is your inspiration for your pieces?

My inspiration comes from my love of color and pattern. I knew it was important o my work to supply the form …a bowl which people can use…. and then use great color in a way that makes the piece irresistible. I observed how people would buy things and color is a big motivator, so now I follow trends in style, color and patterns.

What keeps you motivated?

The Process keeps me on going, I work on my Pottery daily, and it sets the routine. It is very fulfilling because every part of the clay process has something very rewarding about it. I truly enjoy making one thing well.

Are you a full-time artist?

How do you come up with your creations? Can you walk us through your creative process when dreaming up new pieces? I am a full time artist…living simply, but keeping my dream alive. I probably come up with a new edge every couple of years. Sometimes it life that inspires me, a new trend in color or just the way two colors look when they are right next to each other.

What was it that made you want to start creating?

Did something specific trigger it? I have a clay work of art from almost every year of my life. So naturally I was drawn to it, but really what sold me on Clay was that I can make something that people could use, a functional bowl. I have found some security in this form of art. Once I had the form…the bowl, I got to have a lot of fun with the designs and the way I Painted each bowl.

What or who inspires you?

I am inspired by Color. It motivates me to keep trying new designs on my bowls.

How do you maintain a healthy work and life balance?

Focus and Discipline, and the understanding that I love living the life of an Artist. I am pretty grateful to be able to create art on a daily basis.

You, like most people enjoy the process of making and crafting and didn't get into it for the sake of "business". But eventually you found yourself having to make the transition from crafter to a businessperson. What have you learned so far and what advice can you give others in the same situation?After I graduated from College I started to make out of Clay whatever I could think of and then went to the Flea Market in Santa Fe and stood in front of the Public and Listened to what they liked, and a month later I was developing my idea of my Flower bowls. It worked instantly and through perseverance a year later I was in a Gallery that my College Professor shows in.

What advice can you give aspiring artists struggling to find their own voice and look?

Do your research. In my case I spent a Year seeing what people were making out of Clay in Galleries I wanted to be in and I found my niche, "Color " in a sea of shades of Brown pottery in New Mexico. And then I worked very hard on Technique. Know your market and believe in yourself.

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I thimk its beautiful what sheila dose is pure art.The shape of a flower makes it stand out and the color makes it come to life. It makes me fell like i am looking a a real flower but with a whole lot more detail in her work.